M&A: FDJ completes acquisition of Premier Lotteries Ireland

French lottery operator Fran?aise des Jeux (FDJ) will acquire Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI), the operator of the Irish National Lottery, for a sum of €350 million.

The deal will see FDJ taking over the entire capital of PLI, which currently holds the exclusive rights to operate the Irish National Lottery until 2034. PLI obtained the Irish National Lottery licence in 2014 for a 20-year period.

Premier Lotteries Ireland manages over 5,300 outlets

Premier Lotteries Ireland is owned by several major shareholders that include the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, the Irish Post Office and the An Post Pension Fund.

In the previous year, 2022, PLI reported a Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of €399 million, with approximately €140 million retained as revenue after donating nearly €260 million to over 4,000 different charities.

With a workforce of over 200 employees, PLI manages around 45 premium games across 5,300 retail outlets and online platforms. More than 15 percent of the stakes placed on the Irish National Lottery are done online, with approximately two-thirds of bets placed on draw games and the remaining third on instant win games.

The acquisition is expected to be finalized during the second half of the current year, subject to customary conditions, including approval from the Irish National Lottery regulator.

New phase for PLI

FDJ’s chair and CEO, Stéphane Pallez (pictured above), welcomed Premier Lotteries Ireland into the FDJ group. He highlighted that this acquisition aligns perfectly with their international development strategy and core business. Pallez emphasized that while expanding internationally, FDJ remains committed to its recreational, responsible, and redistributive gaming model. He said that he looks forward to collaborating with PLI and exploring mutual growth opportunities in the future.

Andrew Algeo, managing director of Premier Lotteries Ireland, also expressed enthusiasm about FDJ’s support, which he believes will bring in an exciting new phase for PLI. He thanked the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and An Post for their unwavering support, leading sustainable growth for the Irish National Lottery. Algeo mentioned that the PLI team is eager to partner with FDJ to further enhance the performance of the Irish National Lottery and contribute to FDJ’s international expansion in the lottery industry.

FDJ Second quarter results

In a separate report, FDJ released its financial results for the first half of 2023. The operator achieved a revenue of €1.29 billion during this period, marking a 6 percent increase year-on-year. This growth was primarily driven by a 1 percent rise in lottery revenue, amounting to €958 million, and a substantial 10 percent surge in sports betting and online revenue, reaching €257 million.

For the first half of 2023, FDJ reported an Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of €300 million, with an EBITDA margin of 23.3 percent. The net profit for the same period amounted to €181 million, showing a notable 13.5 percent increase compared to the previous year.

 

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